Resort and Travel Etiquette Tips

After my most recent trip to the beautiful Mexican Caribbean, I wanted to provide some travel tips to everyone en masse about things that I noticed during my recent trip, so that we can all start traveling again and maximize our experiences going forward.  

Traveling is definitely a little different right now and you all know that I like to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible in order for a smooth travel and vacation experience.
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I want to not only provide some travel tips to make your trip as seamless as possible, but also offer a few resort etiquette tips that I felt so many travelers had forgotten during my trip and felt that we should all revisit before jetting off again...

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Tips at Airport & During Flight...

You’re going to find that most airports are still requiring masks while in the airport and are trying to maintain social distancing guidelines, so here are my top tips for your airport experience:
  

• Arrive EARLIER than you have before – try to arrive at least 3 hours prior to an international departure. If you’re there early, then you can get checked in, drop your bags off and get through security without the need to be shoulder to shoulder with the other passengers who might be running late or arriving later.   
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• Bring some disposable masks as well as your favorite cloth or medical grade masks. This will enable you to responsibly dispose of your mask as you enter new areas with different people, board different flights, and for use in your transfer vehicle, reducing the risk of potential prolonged exposure or spread of Covid-19.  
  
  
• Purchase water or coffee/tea once you have gone through TSA security checkpoints so that you can bring on the plane with you – this will further minimize any additional contact and spreading of virus/bacteria while on the plane.  
  
  
• Remember that it may take a little longer to get through customs and immigration in your arrival country as many destinations have additional paperwork, test certificates and/or health questionnaires that are required for entry, which takes longer for the officials to check. Play a game like Travel Bingo or I Spy with your travel companions while you wait to help the time pass more quickly.
  
  
• And to the point above -  have your required documentation ready and in order. Whether it be digital or hard copy, be prepared in advance and you’ll be able to move swiftly through when it’s your turn. As always, I will create step-by-step instructions in the Travel Mobile App itinerary I provide to you prior to your departure – follow those instructions and you’ll breeze on through!  
  
  

• Finally; love your sanitizer, love the sanitation stations, and bring those disinfecting wipes. Wipe down the seats and armrests you use in the airport waiting area, and wipe down your tray tables, arm rests and any products you receive in flight (pretzel bags, cookies, soda cans, etc).

Resort Etiquette Tips...

Resorts want you there, and are so happy to be welcoming you back! All of the properties that I recommend to you, have implemented gold standard sanitation protocols and understand that it is in their best interest to keep you safe and happy, so as long as all of us do our part, we are set to have an amazing time traveling this year!  

During my recent resort experience, I felt it was worth revisiting some resort etiquette tips and understanding of the new protocols in place so we can continue to stay safe and have more countries open their doors to travelers sooner. ​
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• Leave the personal radios and bluetooth speakers for enjoying at a reasonable volume in the comfort of your room. Sound carries far around the open spaces found at the pool and beach areas and there is a good chance that others who are reading, sleeping, or just enjoying the sound of the ocean won’t enjoy their relaxation time being interrupted by your music or sounds from your devices. I recommend wireless head phones that you and your traveling companion can share if you want to listen to the same music – and it creates your own little pocket of intimacy just for the two of you! Larger groups can usually enjoy music found at the pool area provided by the resort.  
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• To the point above; video calls or speaker calls to friends and family are super fun – a lot of us want to show our loved ones where we are now that the background isn’t of the same walls they’ve been seeing for a year! However, those kind of calls can be really disrupting to those around us, so it might be best to wake up early for a sunrise and head on down to an unoccupied area of the beach for those calls or to keep the interaction short and sweet in a more private location – and remind them next time that they should join you in person! WINK *psstt... Don’t forget to put your phone on “vibrate” when you’ll be in public shared spaces too!
    
• Bear in Mind – the hallways and walls of most hotels aren’t soundproof. Try to be aware of the fact that moving furniture, having a dance in your room as you get ready, loud conversations or phone calls as you walk the hallways, may be heard by those in the rooms around you. Be aware and act respectfully of others around you. *If a bit more privacy to do whatever you want is something that you'd prefer, reach out, and I can help you find a property with private villas or separate bungalows if you just want a little more room to be your loud and happy self! 
  
  
• Lines – As many resorts are operating a little differently at the moment for added protection and safety, not only for the guests, but for themselves and their own family/community, so you may find that lines are increased or longer at meal times. This is just how it is for now, and I don’t know about you, but I hate waiting in lines! We’re all in the same boat though, and pressing shoulder to shoulder or loudly complaining about the line, won’t make it move any faster. The best thing to do if you really want to try to avoid the lines is to follow the guidelines I provide regarding peak meal times in your Mobile App; time your arrival at the restaurant for as soon as they open or for a little later in the day/evening. Otherwise, take a breathe, give others some space and wait your turn. The food isn't going anywhere. Alternatively, flexibility is your friend. If you were going to try to the steakhouse but see a long line, yet there is no line at the Italian restaurant – go for Italian that night!  
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• Wear your Mask. Yes I know, it's vacation and you feel invincible because your got your vaccination, but don't forget that having the shot doesn't mean you won't get sick, you just won't get as sick.  There is still an active virus out there, and the CDC requirement that all passengers entering or returning home to the United States must have a negative test result within 3 days of return, is also still in place at the moment. Therefore, you are still at risk of exposure and can end up quarantined in destination if you aren't careful and taking the extra precautions. If the workers serving you all day can wear theirs, we should reciprocate the respect and do our part to protect their community at the very least, even if you aren't concerned about yourself. 

In a nutshell; this year is on track to be one of the busiest travel years in a very long time and we can make our experience better by thinking about the experiences of those around us too! 
 
When you are ready to travel, I hope you will think of Destinations HD to book your next trip. I can’t wait to hear about all of your upcoming trips and share some of mine with you soon!  

Need inspiration on where you want to explore next? Take our travel quiz to find out where you should travel next!

Happy travels! 
Experiences Await...
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